How Did 19 People Die in a Stampede at a Kolkata Durga Puja Pandal?

Quick answer: At least 19 people died and 25 were injured in a stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata, West Bengal, on Saturday night.

Key facts

• What: Stampede and crowd crush at a Durga Puja pandal
• Where: Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal, north Kolkata, West Bengal, India
• Reported: 17 October 2026, with updates on 18 October 2026
• Reported toll: At least 19 dead and 25 injured, according to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari
• Status: Rescue work and investigation under way; figures may change as officials update them

What happened

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the stampede broke out after a misleading announcement was made at the puja pandal. The crowd then rushed, and people were caught in the crush. Firefighters reached the scene for rescue work, and senior police officers were present at the site.

The injured were taken for treatment, including to Medical College, Kolkata. The Chief Minister said 25 people were injured and 24 of them were stable. Families of those who died waited at the hospital for information about their relatives.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as extremely distressing and announced an ex-gratia payment of 2 lakh rupees from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each person who died. The Chief Minister announced 25 lakh rupees for the kin of each deceased person and a government job for one member of each bereaved family.

Kolkata Police issued helpline numbers for people seeking assistance: 8003455678 and 03322141310. The Chief Minister said action would be taken against those who failed to control the crowd, that CCTV footage was being examined, and that the government would write to the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court to appoint a sitting judge for an inquiry.

Staying safe in large festival crowds

Large religious and festival gatherings need clear entry and exit routes, controlled announcements, and visible stewards at pinch points. Visitors should agree a meeting point with their group, keep children close, and follow directions from police and volunteers rather than following a sudden rush.

Unverified announcements can create panic in a dense crowd. When in doubt, pause, move calmly towards an open area, and wait for an official announcement before changing direction.

Frequently asked questions

How many people died in the Kolkata pandal stampede?

At least 19 people had died, according to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, in updates reported on 18 October 2026.

Where did the stampede happen?

At the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

What caused the stampede?

West Bengal's Chief Minister said the stampede broke out after a misleading announcement made at the puja pandal. The exact sequence is under investigation, with CCTV footage being examined.

What help was announced for families?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced 2 lakh rupees ex-gratia from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased person. The Chief Minister announced 25 lakh rupees for the kin of each deceased person and a government job for one member of each bereaved family.